How Do You Prune A Lilac Reblooming?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Maintenance Notes: Plant only in full sun and well-drained soil; lilacs cannot tolerate soggy, wet conditions. The rebloom of Bloomerang lilac occurs on the new growth the plant creates after its spring bloom. For the best rebloom, it’s vital that the

plant grows vigorously during late spring and early summer

.

How do you care for a reblooming lilac?

Maintenance Notes: Plant only in full sun and well-drained soil; lilacs cannot tolerate soggy, wet conditions. The rebloom of Bloomerang lilac occurs on the new growth the plant creates after its spring bloom. For the best rebloom, it’s vital that the

plant grows vigorously during late spring and early summer

.

Can you prune lilacs after they bloom?

As a general rule for all lilacs, they

should be pruned immediately after they’re done flowering in the spring

. Since lilacs set next year’s flower buds right after the current year’s flowers have faded, pruning later in the summer or fall will result in cutting off many or all of next year’s flowers.

How far back can you trim lilacs?

If you can’t stand the look of your old lilac or you just want a quicker approach, you can take the drastic measure of cutting back the entire plant to

about 6 to 8 inches above the ground

in the early spring.

When should ornamental lilacs be pruned?

Lilacs form flower buds at the tips of branches during the previous growing season. This means that it is important to prune just under the panicles

a week or two after the plant has finished blooming

. If you prune the branch tips heavily or after the flower buds have formed, you will have fewer blooms next year.

Does Miss Kim lilac rebloom?

This compact, upright lilac blooms later than other varieties. The Miss Kim lilac

will extend your blooming season until the early summer

. In the autumn, you can enjoy the reddish colors of the foliage. This shrub is an excellent choice as a mass planting or border accent.

Do lilacs bloom more than once?

Reblooming lilacs

will bloom once in the spring

, take a rest period and then bloom again in midsummer. Some varieties, like the Bloomerang dark purple, will continue to bloom into the fall after their spring rest.

Are coffee grounds good for lilacs?

Grass clippings and coffee grounds can be used as a good source of nitrogen. Use sparingly, as too much nitrogen in the soil will result in poor blooms. Lilacs grow best in

slightly alkaline

(6.5 to 7.0 pH), moist, well-drained soil. Adding bone meal to the soil can make it more alkaline.

What is the lifespan of a lilac bush?

Many factors influence how long California lilacs will live. When these plants get proper pruning to remove older shoots, they can often survive for closer to 15 years. Without adequate pruning, California lilacs may live for

around 10 years

.

How do you rejuvenate a lilac bush?

One way to renew a large, overgrown lilac is

to cut the entire plant back to within 6 to 8 inches of the ground in late winter

(March or early April). This severe pruning will induce a large number of shoots to develop during the growing season.

Can you prune lilacs to keep them small?

Pruning and Caring for Lilacs

Cutting back a lilac will, of course, help to keep it

a certain size

, but pruning done properly can also encourage more flower growth as well. Lilacs bloom more prolifically on younger branches that are on the thinner side.

Should you Deadhead lilacs?

Deadheading – removing spent flowers to promote new blooming – is an important component of caring for lilacs. You should deadhead lilacs

as soon as they are done blooming

, which will allow the plants to develop strong, healthy buds that will flower with vigor the following year.

Why didn’t lilacs bloom this year?

Lilac bushes that won’t bloom could be the

result of too much nitrogen

. Lilacs don’t typically require feeding, improper fertilizing can cause a lilac to take up too much nitrogen, which encourages the plant to green up but prevents the lilac bush from blooming.

Why does my lilac have no leaves?

Losing all the leaf buds is a huge stress on a lilac, but trees and shrubs are tough plants. … The lilac will not — and should not — bloom this year. It needs

to husband its energy to make lots of leaves

, so that they store food in the roots.

How do you trim lilacs?

  1. Pick flowers in the cool of morning or evening.
  2. Remove all of the leaves from each stem.
  3. Recut the stem ends, then slice vertically up the stem 1-2 inches.
  4. Grasp one side of the sliced stem and twist backward.
David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.